Preferred network selection

ABSTRACT

A remote preference unit for influencing visited network selection by roaming mobile units, comprises a detection signaling relay/probe on International signaling connections, for detection of roaming activity by mobile units, a database indicative of preferred networks in the given country that the network operator prefers his roamers to use, application logic with certain criteria, determining the output, and an output unit, associated with said detection probe and said database to output indications to influence network selection by said detected roaming mobile units. In one embodiment the output is simply a rejection of the location update signal that forms the roaming request. In an alternative embodiment the signal is a copy of the relevant section of the database which is uploaded to the SIM card of the roaming unit. The SIM card upgrade may or may not be accompanied by a stage of forcing the handset to re-initiate the network selection process.

RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisionalpatent application Nos. 60/517,395—filed Nov. 6, 2003, also 60/473,891filed May 29, 2003, and 60/456,537 filed Mar. 24, 2003, the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to selection of a preferred networkfor roaming and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a method orsystem for influencing a roaming mobile unit to make such a selection.

[0003] Mobile telephones are becoming more and more a part of life, andpeople expect their mobile telephones to work everywhere, including whenthey cross International borders. That is to say people do not expect tohave to reprogram or replace their telephones every time they travelabroad. As a result, a secondary mobile telephone infrastructure hasdeveloped, known as the roaming infrastructure, to provide support formobile telephones that log in for cellular connections in countrieswhich are not their own.

[0004] Any given region or country has a number of cellular networksproviding signals. A user subscribes to one of these networks andwhenever he switches on his telephone it logs into the network to whichhe has subscribed, otherwise referred to as his home network. The mobiletelephone simply ignores other, competing networks. When mobile devicesare outside of their home region, there is also likely to be a range ofcompeting networks. However this time there is no default choice forlogging on since none of these networks are the user's home network.Nevertheless there may be good reason for selecting one network overanother. One network might simply offer a better tariff than the others,or may offer greater reliability, or the home network may want toconcentrate all of its roamers in a single network in order to obtain avolume discount, or a particular network in the foreign country maysimply belong to the same group as the user's home network.

[0005] Generally mobile telephones have preprogrammed settings, whichare often stored in an on-board programmable unit. In GSM telephonessuch settings may be stored in the subscriber identification module orSIM card. It is possible to preprogram the unit to carry a preferenceorder for selecting networks in the given region. Thus a mobiletelephone whose home network is in France may have been provided with apreference list giving the order for selection of networks in the UK.When in the UK, the mobile telephone attempts first of all to log in tothe network at the top of the list, then the second and so on until itsucceeds.

[0006] There are two major disadvantages with the preprogrammed list.First of all the capacity available on board the SIM is limited. Thus itis possible to provide preference data for a small number of most likelyregions only. In most regions of the world the mobile phone simply hasno guidance. Secondly, a given provider's list of which networks arepreferred in a given country is not necessarily static. New deals can besigned, companies can merge and new tariffs worked out so that theeconomics of the situation changes at short notice. However there is noefficient way to remotely update the telephone. It is possible toremotely update a SIM card with a new data file, but the update wouldhave to be sent to every single subscriber including many who have nointention of ever roaming in the given region, and this is simplywasteful of resources, and especially of SIM card memory.

[0007] Considered in greater detail, as the mobile telecom marketbecomes more and more competitive, mobile network operators join largerbusiness groups either as subsidiaries or as members of an allianceorganization.

[0008] Striving to maximize group or alliance revenue as well asrecognizing the roaming segment as an increasingly significant revenuegenerator, group members want their outbound roamers to register withother group member networks in the countries they visit. These networksare designated by operators as their Preferred Networks.

[0009] Yet non-group network operators may also have reasons todesignate some networks as preferred networks in countries where theirsubscribers roam. Among these reasons are different roaming agreements,potential coverage and traffic volume. New roaming agreements, newtariff schemes and changing preferences are established facts. Inaddition, preferences can be based on the kind of user, so-calledcommunity-based preferences. Thus for example prepaid users may havedifferent preferences than GPRS users. The 3G arena may in fact presentdifferent preferences per service, thus for example the preferredroaming network for voice services may be different than the one fordata services. For example the best network for voice may be selectedbased on the tariff offered, whereas the best network for data servicesmay be selected on the basis of technical reliability and bandwidth.

[0010] For these reasons network operators would like to have theability to direct the handsets of their outbound roamers to preferrednetworks whenever they roam in foreign countries. Such directing toolsmust be flexible enough to allow network redirection at any timeindependently of the operational state of the handset, as long as thehandset is powered and the preferred network provides the requiredair-link coverage.

[0011] Furthermore, the ability to seamlessly and flexibly steerhandsets to the preferred network can be used by operators as a means toachieve better terms and conditions of the roaming agreements they signwith partnering network operators.

[0012] Existing SIM and over the air (OTA) solutions for updating a SIMcard cover handsets complying with the GSM Phase 2+ standard. Earlierhandset versions support downgraded functionality. Nevertheless, asexplained, most installed SIM cards have a small memory that is notsufficient for any significant OTA download and for running any requiredpreferred network applets. In addition, limited processing capabilitymeans that handsets are only able to scan the first few networks in anylist of preferred networks that they may be carrying.

[0013] Furthermore, there are networks that do not use SIM cards at all,such as CDMA-based networks, but still want to control roamingdistribution. In addition, the install base of existing SIM cardsincludes devices of various generations with different capabilities, sothe problem is not only the lack of functionality of the SIM as such,but the lack of a generic solution, which can cover 100% percent of thedevices on a given network, is applicable to all networks and iseffective and provides the desired features in an effective manner.

[0014] As a result of the above, network operators seek ahome-network-based, handset independent remote control of the networkselection process that is carried out by the roaming handset. That is tosay, the solution is to be independent of the SIM and handsetthemselves.

[0015] It is anticipated that operators may also want a complementaryhome-network control on handset operation of the network selectionprocess. Finally, operators wish to have the flexibility to applydifferent activation policies for the preferred network function basedon different parameters such as the visited country/network, differenttimes and different subscriber segments.

[0016] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would behighly advantageous to have, a roaming network selection preferencesystem devoid of the above limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention there isprovided a remote preference unit for influencing visited networkselection by roaming mobile units, the preference unit comprising:

[0018] a detection unit for detection of roaming activity by mobileunits

[0019] a database indicative of preferred networks for selection byroaming units, and

[0020] an output unit, associated with said detection probe and saiddatabase to output indications to influence network selection by saiddetected roaming mobile units.

[0021] Preferably, the unit comprises logic for assigning differentpreference information under different conditions.

[0022] Preferably, said conditions comprise time, such that differentnetwork selection preferences are sent out based on different times.

[0023] Preferably, a time used to set said preferences is local time ata roaming location.

[0024] Preferably, said conditions comprise one of profile settings andabilities of an individual roaming handset.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, said conditions are based on asegment of users to which a current handset belongs, such that saidpreference information is applied differently to different segments.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, said conditions comprise theproportions of roaming users currently connected to different availablenetworks in a given roaming region.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, said output signal is a failure toreply to a roaming request in a given time, thereby inducing a time-outto said request.

[0028] Preferably, said output indications are rejection signals toroaming request attempts to respective non-preferred roaming networks.

[0029] Preferably, said roaming rejection signals are sent to locationinfrastructure of respective non-preferred roaming networks, thereby tocause a roaming request attempt to fail at said non-preferred networkand force said mobile units to re-attempt roaming requests, thereby atsaid reattempting to select a preferred roaming network.

[0030] Preferably, said indications comprise an up-to-date version of atleast a part of said database for downloading to said detected mobileunits, said mobile units thereby being enabled to consult said up todate version for network selection.

[0031] In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a connection to a SIMcard infrastructure, through which to download said up to date versionto said mobile units.

[0032] Preferably, said connection is operable to download said up todate version using binary SMS.

[0033] Preferably said connection is further operable to download anapplet to said mobile unit to govern use of said up to date version.

[0034] Preferably said applet contains dialing services customized for acurrent roaming region.

[0035] Preferably, said dialing services customized for a currentroaming region are any one of a group comprising intelligent callcompletion, home short code, world wide number, and iVPN.

[0036] Preferably, said output unit further comprises an associationwith said probe for rejecting a roaming request from a respectivenon-preferred roaming network, in association with said download of saidup to date version.

[0037] According to a second embodiment of the present invention thereis provided mobile infrastructure comprising:

[0038] a connection control path for passing control data for individualmobile telephony connections,

[0039] a card control path for passing binary data for updating controlinformation at a programmable card at an individual mobile unit, and

[0040] an operable connection between said connection control route andsaid card control route to enable data obtained from said connectioncontrol route to bemused to activate an update operation via said cardcontrol route.

[0041] Preferably, said connection control route is a roaming controlroute for controlling roaming telephony connections.

[0042] Preferably, said connection control route is an SS7-based controlroute.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, said connection control route is aMAP-based control route.

[0044] Preferably, said update operation is an operation to provide agiven mobile unit with up-to-date information regarding a currentroaming environment.

[0045] Preferably, said up-to-date information comprises updating one ofa group of SIM card network location features comprising a preferrednetwork (PLMSEL) file, a most recently used field (RPLMN field) of anLOCI file and a forbidden network (FPLMN) file.

[0046] Preferably, said data obtained from said connection control routeis an indication of a given mobile unit roaming in a given roamingenvironment.

[0047] Preferably, said current roaming environment comprises aplurality of available networks, and said up-to-date informationcomprises preference information for selecting between said availablenetworks.

[0048] The infrastructure may further comprise logic for assigningdifferent preference information under different conditions.

[0049] Preferably, said conditions comprise time, such that differentnetwork selection preferences are sent out based on different times.

[0050] Preferably, a time used to set said preferences is local time ata roaming location.

[0051] Preferably, said conditions comprise one of profile settings andabilities of an individual roaming handset.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, said conditions are based on asegment of users to which a current handset belongs, such that saidpreference information is applied differently to different segments.

[0053] In an embodiment, said conditions comprise the proportions ofroaming users currently connected to different available networks in agiven roaming region.

[0054] The infrastructure may comprise an output unit for sending aroaming reject signal to a non-preferred network through which a roamingmobile telephony connection is being attempted.

[0055] The infrastructure may comprise a preference unit for rejecting arequest to use a non-preferred network by preventing reply signaling andthereby causing said request to time out.

[0056] According to a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided an updating method for updating programmable settings on amobile telephone unit, comprising:

[0057] probing connection control signaling between a visited and a homenetwork of said mobile telephone unit, and

[0058] responding to said control signaling by outputting updateinformation to said mobile telephone unit to update programmablesettings thereof.

[0059] Preferably, said connection control signaling comprises dataregarding roaming activity of said mobile unit in any one of a pluralityof roaming environments, each roaming environment comprising a pluralityof available roaming networks to which said mobile unit is able to makea roaming connection, and wherein said update information comprisesupdated preference data ranking said available roaming networks in anorder of selection preference.

[0060] The method may comprise making said update information availablevia at least one of a group comprising binary SMS and GPRS.

[0061] The method may comprise making said update information availableto a programmable telephone setting card of said mobile unit.

[0062] Preferably, said programmable phone setting card is a subscriberidentity module (SIM).

[0063] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a roaming network selection influencing method for influencingmobile units regarding network selection when connecting in a roamingenvironment having a plurality of available networks, the methodcomprising:

[0064] probing roaming connection control signaling between said mobiletelephone unit and mobile network infrastructure to obtain an indicationthat a given unit is attempting a roaming connection from a givenroaming environment,

[0065] checking a database giving a preference order amongst availablenetworks in said given roaming environment, and

[0066] if said roaming control signaling indicates that said mobiletelephone unit is making a current roaming request via a non-preferrednetwork then controlling said connection control signaling to refuse aroaming request to said non-preferred network, thereby to cause saidmobile unit to find another network within said environment to reattempta roaming request.

[0067] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials,methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and notintended to be limiting.

[0068] Implementation of the method and system of the present inventioninvolves performing or completing certain selected tasks or stepsmanually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, accordingto actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of themethod and system of the present invention, several selected steps couldbe implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of anyfirmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selectedsteps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. Assoftware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as aplurality of software instructions being executed by a computer usingany suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the methodand system of the invention could be described as being performed by adata processor, such as a computing platform for executing a pluralityof instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now tothe drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are byway of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presentedin the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful andreadily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspectsof the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structuraldetails of the invention in more detail than is necessary for afundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken withthe drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0070] In the drawings:

[0071]FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a network preference unitin relation to a home network and a roaming environment in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0072]FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the unit of FIG. 1 modifiedfor achieving selection of a preferred network by forcing a new log-inoperation by the roaming unit;

[0073]FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the unit of FIG. 1 modifiedfor influencing selection of the preferred network by sending apreference list of available networks to the roaming unit;

[0074]FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing the unit of FIG. 1 modifiedfor both sending a preference list to the roaming unit and then forcinga new log in operation in accordance with the list;

[0075]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the preferred operation of theembodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0076]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the preferred operation of theembodiments of FIG. 2;

[0077]FIG. 7 is a more detailed illustration of the systeminfrastructure and showing signaling exchange between the various nodesof the infrastructure during a successful roaming location updateprocess;

[0078]FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a preferredprocedure for providing preferred network lists differentially to usersbelonging to different segments;

[0079]FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a preferredprocedure for applying users to different networks according to currentutilization levels of the networks;

[0080]FIG. 10 is a further illustration of the system infrastructure, inparticular showing a provisioning tool;

[0081]FIG. 11 is a signal flow diagram for a variation of the embodimentof FIG. 2 in which a MAP abort signal is used to prevent registrationvia a non-preferred network;

[0082]FIG. 12 is a signal flow diagram showing a successful locationupdate procedure;

[0083]FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing a signal relay moduleincluded within an intelligent gateway;

[0084]FIG. 14 shows a first configuration for setting up a signal relaymodule as part of a network;

[0085]FIG. 15 shows a second configuration for setting up a signal relaymodule as part of a network;

[0086]FIG. 16 is a simplified system diagram illustrating animplementation of the SIM update embodiment of FIG. 3;

[0087]FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram illustrating system infrastructurefor a preferred implementation of the integrated embodiment of FIG. 4;and

[0088]FIG. 18 is a simplified flow chart showing use of the threeembodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4 side by side for comparison.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0089] The present embodiments comprise a system in which roaming in agiven roaming environment is detected, in one embodiment by a signalingrelay, in another embodiment by a probe, and in a third embodiment byreceiving information from home network about users registering viaroaming. Monitoring may be of the signaling connection to the homenetwork over which control signals are exchanged with the roamingnetwork, for example MAP and SS7 protocol signaling. Relaying mayinvolve monitoring the same signals but then actively modifying thesignal flow control. The region, typically the country, in which roamingis taken place, or roaming environment, may have two or more availablenetworks that the given roamer can in practice connect to. The systemobtains a list comprising an order of preference for the availablenetworks and sends a corresponding output to influence the roamingmobile unit's choice of network.

[0090] In a first preferred embodiment, hereinafter the rejectionembodiment, the output is a kind of registration rejection including aregistration rejection signal. More particularly three preferredversions of this embodiment are provided, each using a different type ofreject.

[0091] (1) a MAP protocol rejection signal

[0092] (2) a MAP protocol abort signal, and

[0093] (3) rejecting the registration attempt simply by ignoring therequest, and not sending any response.

[0094] In any case the roaming registration attempt is stopped if it isnoted from the database that this is not the preferred network. As aresult the mobile unit is forced to try registration again, and thistime may find a more favorable network. In an embodiment there is also amethod for locking out the current network following such a rejection,and this is preferably achieved by adding the current network into aforbidden list stored on the SIM card. The process is repeated until theunit logs in to the highest network on the list that is in factavailable, roaming registration therefrom being allowed.

[0095] In a second embodiment, referred to hereinbelow as the SIM updateembodiment, the output is a signal that includes the preference list forthe current environment. The signal is sent to the handset and is usedto update the SIM with the list of preferred networks for the country inwhich the handset is roaming. It will be appreciated that the outputneed not merely be a list of preferred networks in itself, but mayoptionally include data for modifying other files on the SIM, andperforming a SIM Initialization or refresh operation, which forces thehandset to re-initiate the network selection process. In particular thefiles that can be modified on the SIM are:

[0096] (1) The PLMNSEL file, which contains the preferred list ofnetworks

[0097] (2) the LOCI file, which contains the RPLMN—the RegisteredPLMN—which is the current roaming network the handset is registered to,and

[0098] (3) the FPLMN—the forbidden list of networks which should not beselected (which can be modified as well.

[0099] The LOCI change is preferably carried out before attempting toinitialize the SIM, otherwise the re-selection process falls back to thecurrently registered network. That is to say in general the networkrecorded in the LOCI file is the default selection whatever anypreference list may say. The FPLMN may be used if the home network doesnot want a specific network to be selected at all. Such a situation isunlikely since the home network has some kind of a roaming agreementwith it, but it is available as a temporary option. All of the aboveoperations can be triggered, not just as a result of theherein-mentioned Update Location signaling, but preferably at any pointof time, that point being something that can be determined by the homenetwork. Typically the preference list is downloaded, say using GPRS orbinary SMS, to the SIM card in the case of GSM, or other programsettings card of the mobile unit. In this embodiment an operativeconnection is provided between the program setting infrastructure andthe telephone connection infrastructure.

[0100] In either case the problems of limited capacity on the SIM cardand timely updating are solved. In the first embodiment the preferencelist is retained at the home network and in the second case updatedlists are sent for specific roaming environments only once theparticular mobile unit has been detected entering the specificenvironment. Thus data relating to only a small and manageable number ofnetworks are stored in the handset, this being a manner suitable for thelimited storage and processing abilities available.

[0101] The principles and operation of a roaming support infrastructure,network preference selection apparatus and update system according tothe present invention may be better understood with reference to thedrawings and accompanying description.

[0102] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0103] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a remotepreference unit 10 for influencing visited network selection by roamingmobile units 12, according to a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, which is a generalized embodiment. The preferenceunit 10 comprises a probe part 14 which may be part of a signaling relayand which picks up passing signals to carry out detection of roamingactivity by mobile units such as unit 12 in a roaming environment 16such as a foreign country to which home network 18 does not extend. Homenetwork 18 is the network of which the roaming unit 12 is subscribed.The roaming environment 16 has a number of mobile networks 20.1..20.nwhich are technologically compatible with roaming unit 12 and whichroaming unit 12 could use. As none of the mobile networks is a homeenvironment there is no intrinsic reason why roaming unit 12 shouldselect any one of the networks over any other and it is likely to simplyselect a network at random and then continue to select that same networkfor the duration of its stay in that country as long as that firstselected network remains available.

[0104] The preference unit also includes a database 22 which lists theavailable networks 20.1..20.n in an order of preference, that is to sayan order of preference for selecting between available networks, network20.1, network 20.2 etc in the environment 16 that the roaming unit 12finds itself. The order of preference is typically set by the providerof the home network 18 and may be set according to technical reliabilityor tariff or any other criterion. The database may be updated atperiodic intervals due to changes in conditions and the like. In apreferred embodiment the database is combined with logic circuitry toautomatically select the preferred network in reaction to real timechanges. As will be explained in greater detail below, the logic can usea set of criteria. The criteria may include such items as for example:

[0105] (1) desired % of roaming distribution

[0106] (2) persistency

[0107] (3) time management

[0108] (4) community-based profiles.

[0109] The preference unit has an output port 24 which again may be partof the relay, and is associated with the database 22. In use the probedetects roaming activity being reported to home network 18. Typicallythe roaming activity that is reported is made at an initial attempt byroaming unit 12 to log on in environment 16. In order to accept a log inattempt as a roamer, a roaming network determines which is the roamingdevice's home network and passes on details of the roaming device to thehome network. The home network checks that the roaming user isauthorized for roaming use and indeed exists at the home network andsends back an authorization to the roaming network to confirm theroaming connection. The probe 22 preferably detects the traffic involvedin such a log in procedure, and reports to preference unit 10.Preference unit 10 determines which roaming network device 12 iscurrently attempting to log into and which roaming environment thatnetwork belongs to. It then consults database 22 to find out thepreference order for available networks in that environment and thenoutputs a signal which can be used to influence network selection byroaming unit 12.

[0110] It is noted that the output signal can be sent as soon as roamingis detected. Additionally or alternatively the signal may be sent at alater time. For example unit 12 may remain in environment 16 for sometime. Thus it is possible to retain the information that unit 12 isroaming in environment 16 and either send a signal at a later time, orsend an initial signal upon first detection of roaming and later updatesignals at later times.

[0111] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified diagramillustrating a first modification of the roaming preference unit 10 ofFIG. 1. The modification shown in FIG. 2 is the rejection embodimentreferred to above. Parts that are the same as in FIG. 1 are given thesame reference numerals and are not referred to again except asnecessary for understanding the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, themobile unit 12 attempts to log on to network 20.1. Network 20.1 acceptsthe log-on as device 12 is compatible therewith, identifies the homenetwork as being network 18 and sends a roaming request (roam req.) tothe home network. Roaming preference unit 10 eavesdrops on the roamingrequest signal via probe part 14, which in this case is a part of relaythat constitutes probe 14 and output 24. The probe detects from passingupdate location request signals that device 12 is trying to log on tonetwork 20.1 in environment 16. Preference unit 10 then consultsdatabase 22 and determines that network 20.2 is in fact preferred overnetwork 20.1. The preference unit therefore outputs a roaming rejectsignal to network 20.1 and device 12 fails to complete the registration.Device 12 is thus forced to try again. If it chooses network 20.2 thenpreference unit 10 does not interfere and the roaming request isaccepted. If it chooses network 20.3 then the rejection is repeated andso on until the roaming device selects the preferred network. Thealgorithm is explained in greater detail below.

[0112] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an alternativemodification of the preference unit of FIG. 1, the SIM update embodimentreferred to above. Parts that are the same as in previous figures aregiven the same reference numerals and are not referred to again exceptas necessary for understanding the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, thepreference unit 10 is connected to over the air (OTA) SIM toolkit server26, which is a server that can update SIM cards 28 with new programmingsettings, small user clients and the like. Typically it is used to allowa service provider to upgrade his subscriber base but its use is limitedby the fact that SIMs are typically small capacity devices. The OTA SIMtoolkit typically uses binary SMS messages or GPRS or the like to updatethe SIM. In the prior art the OTA SIM toolkit is provider initiated anddoes not interfere with the standard user operations, such as making andreceiving calls. . In the embodiment of FIG. 3 it is actively controlledby the preference unit 10. Control is as follows. An existing roamingconnection is detected The preference unit determines which network andwhich roaming environment is in question and consults database 22. Therelevant part of database 22 is then made available via OTA SIM toolkitto SIM card 28 of mobile unit 12. The relevant part contains the roamingnetworks in that specific environment, typically a country, but mayoptionally include networks of neighboring countries so that if and whenthe roamer crosses the border, the list previously downloaded stillcovers the new country. For subsequent attempts at log on, the mobileunit 12 can then consult its own SIM card to find out the order ofpreference for the local networks and try each in turn. As mentionedabove, the downloaded data may go beyond the list itself and may includemodifying other files etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the preferenceunit thus acts as a bridge between telephony including data services onthe one hand and the infrastructure for updating SIM cards on the otherhand, thereby for the first time enabling real time updating of SIMcards in accordance with actual events involving the given mobile unit.

[0113] As discussed, the connection to the SIM card is operable todownload the up to date version of the preference data using for examplebinary SMS or GPRS. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the mobile unit ispassively detected connecting up or logging on to a given roamingenvironment. The initial log in may be via a non-preferred network.However the updated list that is downloaded into the SIM is notconsulted until the next log on attempt, and typically requires a poweron or a SIM Initialization operation to take place for the files to beoperational.

[0114] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified diagramillustrating a further modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in whichthe two modifications of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are combined, theabove-mentioned integrated embodiment. Parts that are the same as inFIGS. 2 and 3 are given the same reference numerals and are not referredto again except as necessary for understanding the present embodiment.In FIG. 4 there is both a roaming request reject signal 24 and a SIMupdate path involving OTA SIM toolkit 26 and SIM 28. In the embodimentof FIG. 4 an attempt to enter roaming environment 16 is detected via acertain network. The probe 14 together with output 24 forms a signalingrelay. Probe 14 preferably detects the roaming request traffic andsignals to the preference unit that mobile unit 12 is roaming withinroaming environment 16. If the current network is not the preferrednetwork then a roaming reject signal is sent back to the network thatmobile unit 12 is attempting to connect to. Mobile unit 12 is thusforced to repeat the logging on process as before, until it gets to thepreferred network. Once it is logged on to the preferred network, thenthe preference unit 10 consults database 22 and sends updated preferenceinformation via the OTA SIM toolkit 26 to SIM 28 as before, at some timeduring the newly started data session.

[0115] In order to achieve the above there is provided a mobileinfrastructure which includes a signaling path, such as SS7 or MAP forpassing control data for individual mobile telephony connections betweennetworks. There is also a SIM path for passing binary data for updatingcontrol information at a programmable card at an individual mobile unit.The SIM path is typically the OTA SIM toolkit path. In addition thepreference unit provides an operable connection between the two pathswhich enables data obtained from the signaling path, such as the roamingrequest, to be used to activate the update operation via the SIM path.

[0116] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a flow chart indicatingthe operation flow of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, inpractice the combination of the SIM card update embodiment and thelog-on rejection embodiment, the integrated embodiment. The flow chartindicates an updating method for updating programmable settings on amobile telephone unit. The method comprises probing connection controlsignaling between the mobile telephone unit and mobile networkinfrastructure, looking in particular for roaming request signals. If aroaming request signal is found then the roaming environment from whichthe request originated is preferably detennined. Typically this would bethe country in which roaming is taking place. Typically the environmenthas a number of usable networks and the home network has an order ofpreference for these usable networks. Updated network preferenceinformation for the environment is obtained first of all used to decidewhether to accept the current log-on attempt. If the log on attempt isnot being made via the preferred network for that environment then theattempt is rejected in one of the ways described above. Once successfulroaming log-on has begun then the preference list for the country (plusdata for neighboring countries and other information as desired) isdownloaded as a binary SMS message, or via GPRS or the like, to the SIMof the roaming unit. Thus the roaming unit receives up to dateinformation for its programmable settings.

[0117] It is stressed that the signaling used to activate the SIM updateprocedure need not be an update location request but rather any controlor signaling data that indicates that the user is currently roaming.Furthermore the skilled person will be aware that the data uploaded tothe SIM need not be restricted to network preference data. Rather anykind of setting data can be uploaded to the SIM in response to detectionor a roaming connection so that the mobile unit can be updated withprogram settings that are relevant to its current activities. Forexample the roamer could be updated with codes to obtain local services.

[0118] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified flow chartillustrating the operational flow of the rejection embodiment of FIG. 2.In FIG. 6 the operational flow provides a roaming network selectioninfluencing method for influencing mobile units regarding networkselection when connecting in a roaming environment having a plurality ofavailable networks, as described above. The method comprises first ofall probing roaming connection control signaling between the mobiletelephone unit and the mobile network infrastructure to obtain anindication that a given unit is attempting a roaming connection from agiven roaming environment. The method further comprises checking adatabase which gives a preference order amongst the available networksin the given roaming environment. If the roaming unit has connected viathe preferred network then no further action is taken. However, if theroaming control signaling indicates that the mobile telephone unit iscurrently logged in via a non-preferred network, then the methodinvolves rejecting the roaming request as described above, thus causingthe mobile unit to find another network within the environment toreattempt logging on. The new roaming request signal is checked and theprocedure repeats itself until the unit final logs on via the preferrednetwork. Many handsets have a constant value setting which limits themaximum number of retries. This constant value is significant. It isusually three and can be modified per network and even per subscriber ifthere is a need. If the limit set by the constant is reached, thentypically the handset enters into a long wait period, and will not retryother networks until the wait period is over. Reaching this limit isthus preferably avoided. One way of avoiding exceeding the limit is toaccept any network at the final allowed attempt.

[0119] The procedure of the rejection embodiment of FIG. 2 is nowconsidered in greater detail.

[0120] As explained, network operators may wish to have control over theautomatic network selection-process taking place when their subscriberstravel abroad and try to register at a visiting network (VPLMN).

[0121] The purpose of this service is to enable the home network (HPMN)of the mobile subscriber, to effect or influence visited network (VPMN)selection, whilst roaming.

[0122] The technical solution given below is targeted for GSM roaming,although the skilled person will appreciate that the principles can beadapted to CDMA and TDMA networks.

[0123] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates a preferredarchitecture for implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 2. In FIG. 7an SS7 signaling platform 30 is configured as a signaling relay betweenthe home location register HLR 32 of home network 18 and the visitorlocation registers VLR's 34 of foreign network 20.n on which the roamerhappens to have alighted. That is to say platform 30 is connected to theinternational SS7/MAP links 36 which are the International signaling andcontrol lines, on one side and to the HLR 32 on the other side. It isnoted that the connections at either side to the SS7/MAP links need notbe direct to the location registers but there may be relays such asintelligent gateways when intervene. The platform database includes apreferred network list for each of the potential roaming regions.

[0124] The service works according to the following procedure:

[0125] The handset makes a connection to one of the available networksin the region in which it is roaming. Upon successful selection of thegiven network an update location (UL) request, which is a request toconnect from abroad as a roaming handset, is sent from the foreignnetwork's VLR to the home network. All such Update Location requestsarriving from the foreign VLR's are processed by the Home Network.

[0126] The embodiment compares the requesting VLR against the preferrednetwork list for the corresponding region or country.

[0127] If the roaming network and corresponding VLR are the preferrednetwork in the visited country then the request is relayed to the HLRfor the standard procedure and no action is taken by the presentembodiment.

[0128] The following terminology is used herein:

[0129] Rejection—a rejection response of any type to an Update_Locationrequest

[0130] Acceptance—an acceptance of an Update_Location request

[0131] Active Rejection—a rejection that is based on sending a rejectionmessage.

[0132] Passive Rejection—a rejection that is based on ignoring the ULrequest.

[0133] Redirection—an attempt of the application to redirect a handsetto the preferred network. A redirection session includes a set ofUpdate_Location requests and their associated responses that include atleast one Rejection and must end with an Acceptance.

[0134] Successful redirection—a Redirection session that ends withregistration to the preferred network.

[0135] Unsuccessful redirection—a Redirection session that ends withregistration to a non-preferred network.

[0136] Deactivated VPMN—a VPMN upon which no redirections are applied,i.e. any attempt to register to a deactivated VPMN shall be acceptedregardless its position in the list of PN.

[0137] Preferred Network—the network with the highest allocated roamingshare (in %)

General Flow

[0138] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified flow chartillustrating general logic flow for the present embodiments.

[0139] Following are the main stages of the logic starting with receiptof an update location request from the SRM. A more detailed flow of eachstage is presented in the following sections.

Stage 1—Load Preferred Network (PN) List

[0140] Load country specific or user-segment specific PN list to thelogic.

Stage 2—Activation Filter

[0141] If the handset (HS) attempts to register to a non PN then checkif the Intelligent Preferred Network is activated for the visitedcountry and network at this day and time.

Stage 3—Traffic Control Filter

[0142] Global Traffic Control—Check that the number of rejections sentto the attempted VPMN meets pre-defined criteria.

[0143] Personal Traffic Control—Check that the number of redirectionsmade to the given handset meets pre-defined criteria.

Stage 4—Roaming Distribution Test

[0144] Decide whether to reject or accept (relay) the UL based on thecurrent roaming distribution compared with the desired one.

Country Profile List of Preferred Networks

[0145] Using the provisioning interface the operator is able toprovision the PN list for each visited country in a descending order ofpriority. That is the application automatically reorders the listaccording to the provisioned roaming distribution, as discussed in moredetail below.

[0146] The PN list typically includes only networks that have a roamingagreement with the home network operator.

Rejection Types

[0147] Any combination and order of the following rejection types can beglobally applied:

[0148] Update_Location_Reject (System Failure)

[0149] Provider_Abort

[0150] Update_Location_Reject (Roaming Not Allowed)

[0151] Ignore

[0152] Combinations can be provided separately per country as follows:

[0153] Any combination and order of the above rejection types can beapplied to roamers in a specific country as part of the country profile.

[0154] It is preferably possible to define the settings at one countryand apply them to all countries.

Persistence Management

[0155] It has to be assumed that in some instances the conditions forsucceeding in selecting the preferred network will not exist. This caseis more probable when using the rejection embodiment. An example is whenthe preferred network does not have the necessary air-link coverage in acertain area or at a certain point in time. Another example is when theroamer tries to manually select a non-preferred network.

[0156] In cases such as the above examples, the application stops afterapplying a pre-configured retry scheme, accepting the requested networkregardless of its position in the list of PN.

[0157] Using the provisioning interface as discussed herein, theoperator is preferably able to configure for each country the maximalnumber of rejections per redirection session. The choices shall belimited to 1, 2 or 3 rejections per redirection.

[0158] It is preferably possible to define the settings for one countryand then apply them to all countries, all in one command.

Service Activation

[0159] Using the provisioning tool, the operator is preferably able toconfigure per visited country whether to activate or deactivate theIntelligent Preferred Network overall. The default state for the serviceis preferably the activated.state

[0160] If a given country is deactivated then in one implemention allVPMN's in the country may be deactivated. In an alternativeimplementation only some VPMN's may be deactivated.

General

[0161] Using the provisioning tool the operator is preferably able toactivate the intelligent preferred network (IPN) in a pre-configuredschedule based on combinations of the following time periods:

[0162] Always

[0163] Weekdays

[0164] Weekends

[0165] Working/peak hours

[0166] Leisure/off-peak hours

[0167] The default is preferably always.

Logic

[0168] In one configuration, if a particular country is scheduled oractivated then all VPMN's in the country are scheduled or activated,that is the same schedule is applied to all of the VPMNs. In anotherconfiguration, when the country is always activated some VPMN's may bewhat is known as “scheduled activated”. If a VPMN is “scheduledactivated” that means that outside of the schedule times it isdeactivated.

Time Zones

[0169] Time management, for example for the scheduling explained above,is preferably based on the visited country's time zone. Area based timezones are also a possibility.

Roaming Distribution

[0170] Using the provisioning interface the operator is preferably ableto allocate percentages of its outbound roaming to the different VPMN'sof each visited country.

[0171] For Example:

[0172] 65%—to network A

[0173] 20%—to network B

[0174] 10%—to network C

[0175] 5%—to the rest

[0176] The application preferably verifies that the total percentage isnot different from 100% and prompts the operator accordingly.

[0177] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which presents the requirementsof Roaming Distribution and its impact on decision making in therejection embodiment. In order to follow FIG. 9 it should be assumedthat the preferred network is A and the actual distribution status attime of receiving a given update location request is as described in thefigure. The current handset thus attempts to register to a VPMN X. Nowif X=A then the request is accepted regardless of the percentage alreadyassigned to A.

[0178] If A has not yet been filled with the pre-assigned percentage andX does not equal A then the system preferably rejects the request, sothat the current handset eventually gets to A.

[0179] If A already has the pre-assigned percentage and the handsetselects the next preferred network B, that is X=B then if X=B theselection of B is preferably accepted regardless of what % has alreadybeen allocated to B.

[0180] If the home network operator allocates percentage use evenly toall networks other than A then the system preferably fills B, C and Drandomly until they are filled with their pre-assigned percentage,thereby avoiding unnecessary rejections.

[0181] The number of roamers in each network that is used by the systemis preferably a momentary snapshot correct at the time of decisionmaking. Roamers that move from network to network preferably immediatelycause numbers to change.

[0182] Roamers who leave the country are preferably removed from thesystem after T hours (daily) of no Update Location events. For thispurpose a database clean-up batch process is preferably performed onceper N hours.

[0183] The operator is preferably able to view the actual status of theroaming distribution in comparison with the pre-configured settings.

Refresh Management

[0184] Refresh management applies to the embodiments in which files aredownloaded to SIM cards. The operator is able to configure theapplication to initiate a refresh operation in order to updatepreferences under any of the following conditions:

[0185] a. Every T_(ref)time

[0186] b. Ad hoc at a specific future time

[0187] c. Recurrent specific time

[0188] d. Immediate

[0189] e. As response to user activated request (e.g. by sending SMS ordialing designated short code)

Subscriber Segment Profile General

[0190] As will be explained in greater detail below, the operator isable to provide for dealing with users in terms of grouping orcommunities which can be defined according to different criteria. Apreferred embodiment allows around ten such groupings or subscribersegments Thus for example:

[0191] 1. “Gold” users

[0192] 2. Pre-paid/CAMEL users

[0193] 3. Data users

[0194] 4. Corporate-X members

[0195] 5. Special program users

[0196] 6. 3G users

[0197] 7. Global segments (e.g.: teen/young/adult)

[0198] 8. MSISDN/IMSI/IMEI ranges

[0199] 9. SIM card numbers

[0200] For each subscriber segment the home network operator ispreferably able to configure the following:

[0201] Specific list of preferred networks

[0202] Activate or deactivate the IPN (subject to the VPMN activationand scheduled activation profiles).

Segment Priority

[0203] The segments are set according to relevant criteria, and there isno reason why any given handset user may not belong to more than onesegment. In order to cope with subscribers belonging to more than onesegment the home network operator may assign priority to the segments. Aparticular roamer is then assigned the profile of the highest prioritysegment in which he/she appears.

[0204] Role of the Intelligent Gateway

[0205] If, in either the rejection or integrated embodiments, during anygiven connection attempt, the roaming network and corresponding VLR arenot the preferred network then Intelligent Gateway 38 which providesintelligent control for roaming, sends a reject response to the VLR thatrejects the update location request. The intelligent gateway does thisvia a relay unit that provides the probing and output features discussedabove. The rejection ensures that the current roaming network fails toobtain authorization of the current user as a legitimate user of thehome network. The update location request thus fails, which causes thehandset to try again to select a network for connection.

[0206] When a new network is selected (new Update Location requestreceived) then steps a′ and b′ are repeated until the preferred networkis selected, or uuntil a “max retries” limit is reached.

[0207] One way of overcoming the problem of exceeding the max retrieslimitation is to accept any network at the final permitted attempt.

[0208] If the non-preferred network is selected again, that is to saythe same network is being repeatedly selected, then after N(pre-configured) times the application backs-off trying to redirect thehandset. This may for example be a sign that there is only one networkavailable at the given location.

[0209] After a pre-configured time-out, any new Update Location requestruns the above procedure again.

[0210] As explained, the service can be operated per visited country orvisited network basis. The service can furthermore be operated in orderto achieve a certain success ratio only, i.e. to redirect 20% of theroamers only, as explained in detail above. Sometimes, roamers in aparticular geographical area may show a certain persistency in failingto select a preferred network. This may for example be due to thepreferred network not giving good proper coverage in the user'slocation. In such cases the preferred embodiment notices and stopstrying to redirect, leaving the roamers' network selection intact.

[0211] The embodiment can be programmed to take effect at pre-definedtime periods, such as during the busy hours of the day only, asdiscussed above under the heading of scheduling.

[0212] Given settings or a given preference list can be applied toselected users only, using the segments referred to above or in otherways. Thus the operator may provision selected users in advance, forexample on the basis of data indicating heavy and light users, or on thebasis of distinguishing prepaid users from postpaid users. Optionally,the application may dynamically add users to a heavy users listaccording to pre-defined criteria such as criteria based on the numberof registration detected within a time-period. Furthermore, as explainedin greater detail above, different preference lists may be used fordifferent categories or communities of users, as desired.

[0213] In the three solutions:

[0214] International telephony control or MAP traffic is diverted to theSRM 30, so that the SRM can read the location requests. As will beexplained in greater detail below, the SRM is a switching relay that canbe used to combine the function of the probe and output unit asdescribed above. In a particularly preferred embodiment only theLocation requests themselves reach the SRM.

[0215] The routing to the SRM may be carried out in the home publicmobile network HPMN, preferably from the GSTP or gateway STP, thecentral entrance point for signaling transactions to the network.

[0216] A practical solution needs to have sufficient redundancy toprovide high availability

[0217] In the event of a registration attempt, typically in the form ofa location update request, from a preferred network, the SRM forwardsthe request to the HLR transparently.

[0218] In the event of a registration request from a non-preferred VPMNthere are three alternative solutions, to be presented below, each ofwhich causes the MS to search for the preferred VPMN.

[0219] The three solutions, which have been outlined above, are nowgiven in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to FIG. 10, whichshows the basic system architecture. Parts that are the same as inprevious figures are given the same reference numerals and are notreferred to again except as necessary for understanding the presentembodiment. A provisioning unit 40 is associated with the intelligentgateway to configure the system for operation. The flows will bedescribed with the following figures.

[0220] Considering a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 2, thefollowing scenario explains call flow procedure when a mobile unit 12requests registration in a non-preferred VPMN. In such a case thepresent embodiment uses the SRM 30 to terminate the connection using aMAP-P-Abort response which is a standard part of SS7 signaling. Thepreferred embodiment uses an abort signal that includes in the ProviderReason field “abnormal PDU”. As explained elsewhere, there are othersignals that can alternatively be used or the request can simply beignored or timed out.

[0221] The transaction flow is illustrated in FIG. 11. A location updatesignal is sent from the mobile unit to the local network infrastructure.As the mobile unit is a roamer the local network infrastructure sends anupdate location request to the mobile unit's home network. The requestis recognized at the SRM, here denoted SH where it is intercepted andthe abort request is sent as a reply when it is realized that therequest is for a non-preferred network. The abort request reaches thelocal network infrastructure where it is sent as a location updatereject to the mobile unit.

[0222] In the case of certain rejections signals such as “roaming notallowed” the MS receives the rejection signal it preferably enters thespecific VPMN it has just failed to log on to into its own VPMNforbidden list, and then looks for the next VPMN in any list it may haveor selects randomly from the remaining networks.

[0223] The specific VPMN is typically erased from the forbidden listupon switch off or in the case of removal of the SIM from the mobileunit.

[0224] An advantage of the present solution is that it causes the mobileunit to search for the next VPMN in the list, eventually leading to thepreferred VPMN.

[0225] Therefore a disadvantage of using the “roaming not allowed”signal in all cases arises in the case of non-coverage by the preferrednetwork at the given locality, there is some risk that all othernetworks will be disqualified and then the unit may enter an “Out ofService” state until switch off in either automatic or manual networkselection mode. Rather it is best to use the “roaming not allowed”signal only in the case where a particular network does not have aroaming agreement.

[0226] In another version of the embodiment of FIG. 2, it is possiblefor the home network to respond to an attempt to connect to anon-preferred network with another standard SS7 signal, the UpdateLocation System Failure response. The signal flow is similar to that inFIG. 11 except that in place of a provider abort signal, a systemfailure response is sent. That is to say an update location rejectsignal is sent from the home to the roaming network which is in fact anUpdate Location System Failure response.

[0227] As a result the mobile unit 12 receives a “Network Failure”signal indicating error cause 17 in the standard SS7 system

[0228] As discussed above, a further embodiment is for the updatelocation request simply to be ignored. In this case there is no returnsignaling and the request simply times out. A disadvantage of using timeout is that it may take longer than the active rejection embodiments.However it has the advantage that there are no rejection signals,reducing the signal load on the network.

[0229] The general idea of the Intelligent Preferred Network service isto give mobile operators remote control over the VPMN selection processwhen their subscribers roam in foreign networks. Operators can forexample direct their outbound roaming subscribers to preferred roamingpartner networks. The provisioning tool referred to above offers threealternative methods to achieve the desired VPMN selection depending onthe operators' overall roaming technical and commercial objectives.

[0230]FIG. 12 is given for reference purposes and indicates the signalflow in the handshake procedure for a successful update locationrequest. The mobile station issues an update location request via anetwork it finds at the roaming location. The request is passed on viaan international signaling route, eventually reaching the intelligentgateway of the user's home network from which it is passed on to thehome location register (HLR) of the user's home network, whereregistration takes place. The HLR responds by requesting subscriber datafrom the roaming network which is sent and then an update locationacknowledge signal is sent back to the mobile unit, indicating to all ofthe stages on the way that need to know, that the procedure has beensuccessful.

[0231] Reference is now made to FIG. 13, which is a simplified diagramshowing an intelligent gateway connected at a home network and includinga signal relay module, the SRM referred to above, which is a preferredimplementation of the probe and output relay. In FIG. 13 an SS7signaling network 100 links a visited location register VLR 102, a homelocation register 104, a service control point SCP 106, an MSC 108, afirst gateway MSC, GMSC 110, a second GMSC 112, and an intelligentgateway 114 which, as mentioned above is a feature that carries outroaming management. The intelligent gateway 114 includes the signalingrelay module (SRM) 116 as well as Ethernet switches 118, applicationlogic 120 and storage capacity 122.

[0232] The high level requirement of an SRM is to obtain and carry outcontrol tasks on specific messages passed by the SS7 control networkbefore they arrive at their final destination. Generally speaking thereare two major ways to carry out such a requirement over an SS7 network:

[0233] 1) A relay” connection, in this case all traffic is routed viathe SRM, in which case the SRM acts as a tandem switch.

[0234] 2) As a Service Node connection: In this case, specific messagesare routed to the SRM before they reach the final destination. The SRMthen forwards the messages after activation of its own services.

[0235] Firstly, considering the relay connection in greater detail, theSRM preferably has the ability to interconnect within the networkinvisibly, that is so that each of the connection nodes are not awarethat the SRM is connected in between. To achieve this aim the SRM shouldbe able to own several Point Codes, addresses of equipment on thenetwork, and the SRM, to be transparent, should preferably look like thepoint code at one end to equipment at the other end. The SRM thereforeoccupies one node and controls SCCP routing without owning a validGlobal Title address, an address in ISDN format.

[0236] Reference is now made to FIG. 14 which shows how an SRM 120 canbe connected to intervene between two signaling nodes 122 and 124.Signaling node 122 is a GMSC, and node 124 is an STP. In this method theSRM is connected serially to the intercepted signaling links, means allsignaling traffic is physically routed via the SRM. Such a configurationallows implementation of SRM without changing any SCCP routing ruleswithin the hosted network.

[0237] The other implementation is to connect the SRM as a service nodeMSC in the SS7 network, as illustrated in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15 the SRM120 does not separate between any other nodes but rather sits on abranch of its own connected to GMSC 122. Source and destination nodes126 and 128 sit on either side of the GMSC. When connected as an MSC theSRM owns Point Code and Global Title addresses which are part of thehosted network. The host network preferably configures its GMSCs toroute specific operations to the SRM.

Integrated Network Control

[0238] The following refers to FIG. 4 above, namely the integratedsolution, and combines Intelligent Gateway-based remote registrationcontrol with the ability to download country-specific Preferred Lists,on the one hand with the ability to trigger the handset to resume thenetwork selection process. Furthermore network selection can betriggered at any time rather than just during a registration attempt toa particular network. Hence the system can wait for a preferred list tobe successfully downloaded to the mobile unit and then trigger a newnetwork registration. Furthermore the operator is able to use the systemflexibly and apply different methods to different events based onprofiles such as: visited country/network, subscriber's community andcurrent date & time. Such an integrated solution provides the followingadvantages amongst others:

[0239] firstly it provides an improved overall response time to theuser,

[0240] secondly, since the application knows the SIM preferences of thecurrent user, it need not always interfere with the connection. Often areject results in a worse alternative from the point of view of thatuser, and

[0241] thirdly there is lower signaling traffic to/from the VPMN. Thisis because some users can be completely controlled by the SIM solution.

[0242] Using the Web-based user provisioning and reporting tooloperators, it is further possible to customize the Preferred Network, ifit happens to be an intelligent network (IN) to achieve the desiredservice mix and level of control in terms of activation and persistencepolicy. Thus such an intelligent network can configure activationcriteria on the basis of such data as visited country and network,day-of-week and time-of-day, a subscriber profile e.g., “most valuableroamers”, and any other configurable persistence management criteria toaccommodate to transient conditions.

[0243] The functionality of the FIG. 2 embodiment was tested over a fourday period and showed successful results.

[0244] Concerning the embodiments in which a list is downloaded to theSIM card, downloading only the country-specific network-list reduces therequirements of SIM memory size. At the same time it solves the problemof capacity at the handset to scan just a small number of networks froma list since the list is short. That is to say, the advantage ofdownloading a per-country preferred list solves the problem of keeping aworldwide list, for all countries, which is not possible since the SIMcard capacity limits the list to the order of 8 or 24 items. Hence,operators currently provide in advance a small number of preferredlists, say 8, for a limited set of most popular roaming countries.

[0245] Another benefit is that a shorter list shortens the search timefor the handset. The handset does not have to scan a long list.

[0246] The same infrastructure for downloading to a SIM in reaction toactivity at a network can be used say to control the SIM-based applet inrelation to other data fields such as the Registered PLMN (RPLMN).Depending on the approach for monitoring the roaming traffic twoarchitecture variants may apply. The monitored roaming traffic isexchanged over the international MAP signaling links. Monitoring isaccomplished by probe 14 which may or may not be accompanied by theability to carry out active relaying of signals. Thus twoimplementations are possible. One implementation is a passive MobilityProbe and the other implementation is an active Signaling Relay Module(SRM). The choice between implementations is preferably left to theoperator. FIGS. 16 and 17 depict the two implementations. FIG. 16 showsthe SIM download architecture of FIG. 3 with mobility probe 50 and FIG.17 shows the integrated solution architecture of FIG. 4 with a SignalingRelay Module 54. The OTA platform 26 is typically located either at theoperator's home network or at an OTA-vendor's hosting center. A Java orlike applet is installed on the SIM card, acting as a Roaming Agent. Theapplet may be applied to a SIM that supports Java,.

[0247] The applet contains the ability to trigger a SIM Initializationcommand, known as Refresh, which re-initiates the network reselectionprocess, and thus sets the newly downloaded preference file as an activenetwork selection preference file.

[0248] All the other SIM files referred to hereinabove can be controlledby the OTA platform directly, and do not need applet control. Thus theapplet can be kept very small. That is to say all the necessary logicbeyond that needed to operate the refresh is maintained by the homeserver application. Because the applet is small, it can be downloadedover the air and does not require SIM replacement. Other possiblesolutions which do not have a home server, or a probe or relay,connected to the OTA platform, have to maintain a large amount of logicin the applet itself. For example they could have to filter a worldwidelist for the specific country. Such an applet would be very largeindeed, and cannot be downloaded OTA. Use of such an applet on anexisting handset would therefore require SIM replacement. In the presentembodiments by contrast, the server, acting as the Roaming Manager,analyzes the roaming traffic, knowing the exact location of thesubscriber and running the application, while the agent drives thehandset operations.

The Intelligent Gateway in Reference to the SIM and IntegratedEmbodiments

[0249] When the handset is switched on in the visited country then, asexplained, the Intelligent Gateway, which contains the Relay or theprobe, the preference unit along with the database and applicationlogic, and possibly an OTA platform, preferably detects the registrationprocess by monitoring the associated MAP messages either via theMobility Probe 52 or via the SRM 54.

The Intelligent Gateway Determines

[0250] a. Whether the above-mentioned applet needs to be downloaded tothe SIM or one is already present. This information is preferablyobtained via the OTA-server database.

[0251] b. If a new country-specific list of preferred networks needs tobe downloaded to the SIM. Typically downloading occurs when the mobileunit starts roaming in the specific country and during subsequentupdates as long as the mobile unit is still roaming in that territory.

[0252] c. If the currently selected network needs to be exchanged withanother higher priority network according to a criteria set of the homenetwork

[0253] The server then communicates with the OTA gateway to activate theSIM applet via binary SMS, GPRS etc for the appropriate commands.

[0254] Handset movement from one VPMN to another while it is turned onis preferably also detected by the Intelligent Gateway. If there arenetwork criteria set that require resuming the preferred networkselection, then the Intelligent Gateway triggers the applet to issue aRefresh command to the handset, if for example the handset supports sucha Refresh operation. It will be appreciated that the applet does notperform this action if the handset does not support the Refresh feature.In order to cater for such cases the home Intelligent Gateway preferablymaintains a list of handset types per subscriber, so that it is able todetermine whether the particular handset type is capable of supportingrefresh. Another possibility for determining the handset type is theability to extract the IMEI or handset identification via a SIM toolkitapplet. Such a handset identification applet can be installed over theair, and then triggered via the OTA platform. The applet extracts theIMEI from the handset, and sends it back to the intelligent gateway as abinary SMS or using GPRS or the like. The home gateway may thendetermine, based on the IMEI, what the handset type is. Returning now toFIG. 17, and according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, an operator may wishto select a combined approach to controlling preferred networkselection. In the latter case the Intelligent Gateway application logiccombines each method's capabilities to provide an optimized solution.

[0255] Remote registration control is combined with the ability todownload country-specific Preferred Lists. Using such a combinationmakes it possible to send updated lists at any time and then triggermobile units to carry out network selection by logging them off thenetwork or alternatively triggering them through the same OTA serverthat is used to provide the lists. The integrated solution provides thefollowing advantages:

[0256] Better response time to the user

[0257] Lower signaling traffic to/from the VPMN

[0258] As explained above, the operator is able to apply differentapproaches to different events based on profiles such as: the visitedcountry, the visited network, the subscriber's community, and the dateand time.

[0259] Both the probing only and integrated approach lead to downloadingof an updated country-specific List of Preferred Networks, but only theintegrated approach actively rejects an undesired registration attempt.

[0260] Reference is now made to FIG. 18 which is a simplified flow chartthat shows comparative process flows for the three methods describedabove, relay only, probe+SIM and Relay+SIM, according to preferredembodiments of the present invention. In all three cases an updatelocation request from a roaming user can act as a trigger. In the SIMbased embodiments an active trigger can be used to send updates to theroaming devices. In the case of the relay only solution, certain rejectcriteria are set, typically that the network being accessed is not thepreferred network. The request is then accepted or rejected according tothe criteria.

[0261] In the case of the probe +SIM embodiment, an applet is downloadedto the roaming device as discussed. Then a preference list is sent tothe roaming device, that is to say the mobile unit. In a preferredembodiment the handset changes the RPLMN field of the LOCI file beforeissuing a Refresh trigger, so as to prevent the handset from connectingto the previous registered network without consulting the preferred listat all. This may be implemented by modifying the RPLMN to a null value,that is erase its content. An alternative implementation in fact storesthe preferred network at that location. The latter embodiment savestime, since the handset typically first consults the RPLMN, before goingto the preferred list itself. Refresh criteria can also be downloaded tothe roaming device. The applet itself decides how to use the informationfrom the downloads, that is when to seek a new network, based on thecriteria it has been sent.

[0262] In the relay plus SIM embodiment, the probe/relay can performwhat is known as enhanced relay logic. That is, since the rejectioncriteria are the same as the criteria held in the SIM, it is often notnecessary to actually reject a request. Nevertheless the feature isstill needed since roamers change their locations and other conditionscan change too. But generally, rejections mainly occur only in the caseof roaming devices which do not support the SIM solution. Furthermorethe probe can be set not to reject any requests that result from arefresh operation. The features of persistency, profiles and topologyare discussed hereinbelow.

[0263] The Preferred Network application preferably allows the Operatorto configure criteria according to which the application both downloadsupdated Preferred Lists as well as triggers handsets to resume thenetwork selection process. This capability provides a flexiblethrottling mechanism that can be customized to the visited country, thevisited network, the subscriber profile, the date and time and otherparameters.

[0264] The operator is preferably able to configure per visited countrywhether to activate or deactivate the Intelligent Preferred Network,either completely or using just one of the three methods describedabove. The operator will also be able to apply different profiles todifferent countries as explained below.

[0265] Such a list of preferred networks is preferably applicable forall three methods.

[0266] The applet that is downloaded to the SIM when roaming is firstdiscovered can be used to perform additional functions to supportroaming. For example it can carry out short code translation. That is tosay a given home network has certain short codes for services, forexample * 155 may give voicemail. The foreign network may not recognizethe code at all, or it may not lead the roamer to his own voicemailsince he is on a different network. The SIM applet may be set torecognize certain short codes and be able to translate them into adialing sequence that will work to reach the home network. Likewise theSIM applet may also support what are known as world wide numbers. Forexample a certain short code may reach a taxi service on the homenetwork. In this case a roamer is not interested in reaching a home taxiservice. He wants a taxi service in the place where he is roaming. TheSIM applet can again recognize the short code and carry out translationso that the user obtains a local taxi service. Similar features may beincluded to allow support for corporate extensions for users of virtualprivate networks (VPN). In general the user of a virtual private networkis able to dial extension numbers of his work colleagues and his homenetwork performs the translation so that he does not have to dial thefull number. A small extension to the SIM applet allows such a featureto be available whilst roaming as well.

[0267] An intelligent call completion, or dialing correction, featurecan be provided using the SIM applet. Thus a set of rules for correctingnumbers can be included in the SIM applet for downloading, which can beapplied to all dialed numbers. It will be appreciated that the rules mayvary per country and thus the applet, which is downloaded per country isthe ideal way to send such a feature to the mobile telephone.

[0268] A further use for the present embodiments is to prevent what isknown as accidental roaming. Accidental roaming occurs while asubscriber travels near the borders between one country and another. Atsome point the user may be picked up by one of the networks from theother side of the border. This is undesirable as it typically involvesthe user, who has not crossed any borders, in substantial additionalcost and generally wastes resources.

[0269] Accidental roaming can be prevented, in particular according tothe first of the three principal embodiments of the present invention,simply by treating the networks on the other side of the border asnon-preferred networks and rejecting any roaming request for them from auser whose previous connection was via a base station near the borderbut say not near a border crossing. The genuine roamer, that is one whohas actually crossed the border, eventually gets connected, eitherbecause he crossed at a location recognized as a border crossing orafter a certain number of roaming requests is exceeded.

[0270] In a preferred embodiment, special criteria can be applied tocustomers who actually live near the border. That is to say users wholive near the border can be considered as a category or community ofusers to which special rules apply.

[0271] It is expected that during the life of this patent many relevantroaming communication devices and systems will be developed and thescope of the terms herein, particularly of the terms “roaming” and“mobile network”, is intended to include all such new technologies apriori.

[0272] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art uponexamination of the following examples, which are not intended to belimiting. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects ofthe present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in theclaims section below finds experimental support in the followingexamples.

[0273] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, whichare, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described inthe context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately orin any suitable subcombination.

[0274] Although the invention has been described in conjunction withspecific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims. All publications, patents and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extentas if each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein byreference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference inthis application shall not be construed as an admission that suchreference is available as prior art to the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote preference unit for influencing visitednetwork selection by roaming mobile units, the preference unitcomprising: a detection unit for detection of roaming activity by mobileunits a database indicative of preferred networks for selection byroaming units, and an output unit, associated with said detection probeand said database to output indications to influence network selectionby said detected roaming mobile units.
 2. The remote preference unit ofclaim 1, further comprising logic for assigning different preferenceinformation under different conditions.
 3. The remote preference unit ofclaim 2, wherein said conditions comprise time, such that differentnetwork selection preferences are sent out based on different times. 4.The remote preference unit of claim 3, wherein a time used to set saidpreferences is local time at a roaming location.
 5. The remotepreference unit of claim 2, wherein said conditions comprise one ofprofile settings and abilities of an individual roaming handset.
 6. Theremote preference unit of claim 5, wherein said conditions are based ona segment of users to which a current handset belongs, such that saidpreference information is applied differently to different segments. 7.The remote preference unit of claim 2, wherein said conditions comprisethe proportions of roaming users currently connected to differentavailable networks in a given roaming region.
 8. The remote preferenceunit of claim 1, wherein said output signal is a failure to reply to aroaming request in a given time, thereby inducing a time-out to saidrequest.
 9. The remote preference unit of claim 1, wherein said outputindications are rejection signals to roaming request attempts torespective non-preferred roaming networks.
 10. The remote preferenceunit of claim 9, wherein said roaming rejection signals are sent tolocation infrastructure of respective non-preferred roaming networks,thereby to cause a roaming request attempt to fail at said non-preferrednetwork and force said mobile units to re-attempt roaming requests,thereby at said reattempting to select a preferred roaming network. 11.The remote preference unit of claim 1, wherein said indications comprisean up-to-date version of at least a part of said database fordownloading to said detected mobile units, said mobile units therebybeing enabled to consult said up to date version for network selection.12. The remote preference unit of claim 11, comprising a connection to aSIM card infrastructure, through which to download said up to dateversion to said mobile units.
 13. The remote preference unit of claim12, wherein said connection is operable to download said up to dateversion using binary SMS.
 14. The remote preference unit of claim 12,wherein said connection is further operable to download an applet tosaid mobile unit to govern use of said up to date version.
 15. Theremote preference unit of claim 14, wherein said applet contains dialingservices customized for a current roaming region.
 16. The remotepreference unit of claim 15, wherein said dialing services customizedfor a current roaming region are any one of a group comprisingintelligent call completion, home short code, world wide number, andiVPN.
 17. The remote preference unit of claim 11, wherein said outputunit further comprises an association with said probe for rejecting aroaming request from a respective non-preferred roaming network, inassociation with said download of said up to date version.
 18. Mobileinfrastructure comprising: a connection control path for passing controldata for individual mobile telephony connections, a card control pathfor passing binary data for updating control information at aprogrammable card at an individual mobile unit, and an operableconnection between said connection control route and said card controlroute to enable data obtained from said connection control route to beused to activate an update operation via said card control route. 19.The mobile infrastructure of claim 18, wherein said connection controlroute is a roaming control route for controlling roaming telephonyconnections.
 20. The mobile infrastructure of claim 19, wherein saidconnection control route is an SS7-based control route.
 21. The mobileinfrastructure of claim 19, wherein said connection control route is aMAP-based control route.
 22. The mobile infrastructure of claim 18,wherein said update operation is an operation to provide a given mobileunit with up-to-date information regarding a current roamingenvironment.
 23. The mobile infrastructure of claim 22, wherein saidup-to-date information comprises updating one of a group of SIM cardnetwork location features comprising a preferred network (PLMSEL) file,a most recently used field (RPLMN field) of an LOCI file and a forbiddennetwork (FPLMN) file.
 24. The mobile infrastructure of claim 18, whereinsaid data obtained from said connection control route is an indicationof a given mobile unit roaming in a given roaming environment.
 25. Themobile infrastructure of claim 22, wherein said current roamingenvironment comprises a plurality of available networks, and saidup-to-date information comprises preference information for selectingbetween said available networks.
 26. The mobile infrastructure of claim25, further comprising logic for assigning different preferenceinformation under different conditions.
 27. The mobile infrastructure ofclaim 26, wherein said conditions comprise time, such that differentnetwork selection preferences are sent out based on different times. 28.The mobile infrastructure of claim 27, wherein a time used to set saidpreferences is local time at a roaming location.
 29. The mobileinfrastructure of claim 26, wherein said conditions comprise one ofprofile settings and abilities of an individual roaming handset.
 30. Themobile infrastructure of claim 29, wherein said conditions are based ona segment of users to which a current handset belongs, such that saidpreference information is applied differently to different segments. 31.The mobile infrastructure of claim 26, wherein said conditions comprisethe proportions of roaming users currently connected to differentavailable networks in a given roaming region.
 32. The mobileinfrastructure of claim 18, further comprising an output unit forsending a roaming reject signal to a non-preferred network through whicha roaming mobile telephony connection is being attempted.
 33. The mobileinfrastructure of claim 18, further comprising a preference unit forrejecting a request to use a non-preferred network by preventing replysignaling and thereby causing said request to time out.
 34. An updatingmethod for updating programmable settings on a mobile telephone unit,comprising: probing connection control signaling between a visited and ahome network of said mobile telephone unit, and responding to saidcontrol signaling by outputting update information to said mobiletelephone unit to update programmable settings thereof.
 35. The updatingmethod of claim 34, wherein said connection control signaling comprisesdata regarding roaming activity of said mobile unit in any one of aplurality of roaming environments, each roaming environment comprising aplurality of available roaming networks to which said mobile unit isable to make a roaming connection, and wherein said update informationcomprises updated preference data ranking said available roamingnetworks in an order of selection preference.
 36. The updating method ofclaim 35, comprising making said update information available via atleast one of a group comprising binary SMS and GPRS.
 37. The updatingmethod of claim 36, comprising making said update information availableto a programmable telephone setting card of said mobile unit.
 38. Theupdating method of claim 37, wherein said programmable phone settingcard is a subscriber identity module (SIM).
 39. A roaming networkselection influencing method for influencing mobile units regardingnetwork selection when connecting in a roaming environment having aplurality of available networks, the method comprising: probing roamingconnection control signaling between said mobile telephone unit andmobile network infrastructure to obtain an indication that a given unitis attempting a roaming connection from a given roaming environment,checking a database giving a preference order amongst available networksin said given roaming environment, and if said roaming control signalingindicates that said mobile telephone unit is making a current roamingrequest via a non-preferred network then controlling said connectioncontrol signaling to refuse a roaming request to said non-preferrednetwork, thereby to cause said mobile unit to find another networkwithin said environment to reattempt a roaming request.